Magic sells his share of the Lakers… Role with Pistons next?

Yesterday the Associated Press reported that former NBA great and long time Los Angeles Laker Magic Johnson sold his 4.5% stake in the Lakers.  He sold his stake to Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong an L.A. physician and philanthropist for an undisclosed amount. Many skeptics believe that this could possibly clear the way for Johnson to take a bigger role with an NBA team in the near future.

“I thank Dr. (Jerry) Buss from the deepest part of my heart and soul for allowing me such an incredible opportunity,” Johnson said in a statement. “I will continue to work alongside Dr. Buss, Jeanie Buss and (general manager) Mitch Kupchak in their efforts to continually build and maintain the best NBA franchise in the league.”
It has been no secret that Johnson has been looking for an opportunity to assume a larger role with another franchise and it so happens that his hometown team, the Detroit Pistons, are up for sale. Although he has denied any current involvement to get in on a group to purchase the Pistons he did mention his interest earlier in the summer.
“Some people had called me and wanted me to [know] if I’m interested in being a part of a group to own the Pistons.
Somebody back there has to be the majority owner. Be the owner. That wouldn’t be me. But if (Mike) Ilitch or somebody — you’ve got a good guy back there already in Joe Dumars. If somebody said, ‘Hey, can you come and think about helping Joe Dumars?’ then I would think about it.
“Just like the Lakers. It’s not the full [ownership]. You just get a little piece. But then you are involved in the basketball, how the decisions are made.”
The funny thing is that Karen Davidson announced a couple weeks ago that she is actively working out a deal to sell Palace Sports and Entertainment, which includes the Pistons to Mike Ilitch and his company Ilitch holdings. Numerous sources also indicated that a deal with Ilitch should be done by the end of October.
Again, Johnson stressed that formal discussions had not taken place between the two parties. The Pistons, Ilitch and Dumars have remained mum on the possibility. However you cannot help but wonder what is happening behind closed doors between Ilitch, Davidson and maybe even Magic Johnson.